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Frank Frazetta - Original Cover Art for Famous Funnies #213 (Eastern Color, 1953). A true example of why Frank Frazetta is considered by comic enthusiasts to be the greatest science fiction cover artist of all time. When viewing this cover, one realizes they are in the presence of genius, and must pay homage to the man who has been revered in this industry for 55 years. This awe-inspiring cover is only one of eight done for Famous Funnies, featuring Buck Rogers and his companion confronting a horrifying creature intruding upon their existence. The fear and claustrophobia is paralyzing, trapping the viewer in the space capsule with Buck as he quickly contemplates his fate. In an interview with Frank in 1995, he stated the following about his work on the Famous Funnies cover, and in particular issue #213: "I did those covers at a time when I had total mastery; I could draw anything and draw it superbly. Remember that, up to that point, I had been drawing in pen and ink for 10 years professionally. I was drawing every day. The more you draw, the better it gets. At least, that's the way it worked with me. I tried to vary my approach on each one of the Famous Funnies covers -- different subjects and different rendering techniques. I don't want to bore the fans by imitating myself and I certainly don't want to bore myself. On one cover I used Craftint board just to change the look a bit. I even swiped an interior rocketship scene from Wally Wood on one of the covers. I did it deliberately. Why not? If you're going to swipe a rocketship interior, who better than Wally Wood? I try never to swipe. I prefer to make things up. This was a little tribute to Woody. Wally was very pleased. We used to have fun with one another in those days by doing that kind of thing. The guys loved my covers; Steve Douglas (the art editor of Famous Funnies) just loved my stuff. It really is some of the best drawing I ever did. Some would argue that the Canaveral Plates fr
Auction 802 | Lot: 6710 | Mar 17, 2002

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Frank Frazetta - Original Oil Painting "Thor's Flight" (1968). Frank Frazetta is recognized as one of the greatest fantasy artists of the century and looking at this piece it's easy to see why. His work has become the standard against which all fantasy art is judged. From an incredibly fertile period of Frazetta's career, this piece was originally published as the cover to the Paperback Library edition of Thongor in the City of Magicians by Lin Carter. Here Frazetta depicts Thor, the legendary Norse God, riding a winged beast over a lake of fire. This piece demonstrates Frazetta's expressive sense of color, with his wondrous imagination laying out a beautiful scene of fantasy. His inspired design, color blending and composition integrate into a fantasy world full of life. This oil on canvas is truly a wondrous work, and will be treasured by any collector. The art is in excellent condition, and measures 19.5" x 24".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6709 | Mar 17, 2002

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Action Comics #1 (DC,1938). The number one comic book of all time, Action #1 represents the pinnacle of collecting, a landmark issue introducing Superman to the world. The Man of Steel would single-handedly launch a stream of imitators, validate comics as a viable industry, and kick off a superhero explosion of such magnitude that the industry has yet to match. The cover is instantly recognizable and thus needs no description, as it is burned into the minds of anyone who calls themselves a comic collector, and then some. This unrestored copy is lower grade, but complete and collectible in every way. The copy has tape along the spine, and a few small pieces strategically placed on the edges, with a spine roll and slight cover soiling. In today's market, one can never underestimate the value of an unrestored Action #1, especially in an affordable grade like this. With virgin copies consistently bringing record prices, this one has great potential for the long term, further guaranteed by Superman's place in America's cultural history. A truly historical book that would serve as the centerpiece of any collection. CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 GD 2.0 value = $35,000; FN 6.0 value = $90,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6861 | Mar 17, 2002

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Amazing Fantasy #15 Curator pedigree (Marvel, 1962). "And so a legend is born, and a new name is added to the roster of those who make the world of fantasy the most exciting realm of all!" This purple passage was penned by Stan Lee to conclude the origin story of a new "long underwear character" he had cooked up with artist Steve Ditko. However, neither man could really have anticipated just how prescient those words would be, and that their hapless teenager-turned-superhero would have such a profound effect on pop culture, even coming to rival the DC icons -- Superman and Batman -- in popularity. Clearly, Lee and Ditko felt they were crafting something out of the ordinary, with Lee lamenting in the story's opening caption that superheroes are "a dime a dozen!" and promising "we think you may find our Spider-Man just a bit ... different!" But their uncertainty about the sales potential of this oddball kid in the red-and-blue tights was reflected in the decision to give the character a tryout in a floundering monster comic, rather than immediately launching him in his own magazine, as they had done previously with the Fantastic Four and the Hulk. The result, of course, was Amazing Fantasy #15, one of the most important comic books ever published, and certainly the single most important character launch since the Golden Age. Read today, the origin of Spider-Man is still as thrilling and heart-wrenching as it was in the '60s -- the "murdered parent" gimmick (in this case, Pete's beloved Uncle Ben) may have been reminiscent of Batman's origins, but it proved to be an ingenious motivating factor for Peter Parker's war against crime, and still resonates today, especially in Lee's beautifully-written admonition "With great power, there must also come great responsibility!" -- a litany that has passed into the consciousness of virtually every superhero fan on earth. Heritage Comics is proud to offer here a spectacular, amazing, and sensational example of this
Auction 802 | Lot: 6712 | Mar 17, 2002

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Frank Frazetta - Original Illustration of Tarzan and the Golden Lion (Canaveral Press, 1962). Frazetta reached his highest creative pinnacle with the now-famous Canaveral Press drawings from 1962-1965. Frazetta was commissioned to illustrate several books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, two of which were published: Tarzan at the Earth's Core (1962) and Tarzan and the Castaways (1965). Other books were planned but never published. Frazetta executed a total of 27 full drawings and 5 small spot illustrations for this Canaveral Press series. Frazetta was showing the world what he could do at a time when he wanted to establish a name for himself, and each drawing is a little miracle of power and refinement, a polished piece of highly sophisticated perfection, making these Canaveral drawings highly prized and eagerly sought by collectors throughout the world. The technique Frazetta employed in all of these drawings is akin to the sumi-e ink wash paintings of the Japanese. These are drawings with a carefully controlled tonal range that varies from solid black to the lightest of water-thinned ink tones, used to control the level of contrast in the designs and to control carefully what the eye sees first and last. The Canaveral plate of Tarzan and the Golden Lion is, in a word, a masterpiece. An aggressively defiant Tarzan confronts a savage lion, who is turning to face his advances. The lion is regal, majestic, and bristling with life; Frazetta never drew a better lion. One can almost feel the lion's heavy breathing as he decides his course of action. Tarzan is stridently heroic; his muscles charged and prepared for action. Further atmosphere is established by the hot jungle breeze that swirls Tarzan's hair and the lion's mane. Frazetta employs a circular design to energize the viewer's eye and to focus the mind's attention. The thick grasses are applied in chiaroscuro fashion to visually unite the two combatants. Frazetta's virtuosity is further displayed with the
Auction 802 | Lot: 6701 | Mar 17, 2002

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Vault of Horror #12 Gaines File pedigree 1/1 (EC, 1950). This comic book is truly one of the highlights of the sale; we believe it to be the single most desirable horror comic. Vault #12 is regarded as the first stand-alone EC horror comic, and while EC did not invent the horror genre, they made it popular and created a brand. They had national chains of distribution and a strong subscription base that other, much smaller publishers lacked. EC also had the best artists, writers and editors. To make up for their handicaps, these other, smaller publishers produced crudely-drawn comics that relied on shock value and pushing the limits of good taste. The end results were Congressional hearings, best-selling condemnations by psychologists, censorship and ultimately, the demise of the horror comic book genre and EC as a comic book publisher. The Vault of Horror runs continuously through the entire golden era of EC; offered here is the first issue of this seminal title. Overstreet designates this issue as scarce; it seldom turns up in collections, and almost never in this condition. It is uncirculated and, most likely, unread. Two small stress lines at the spine and minor wear at the top left corner are the only readily apparent defects. This is a very fresh copy with white pages. EC publisher William Gaines typically filed away twelve copies of every comic book he produced during this era; these books have come to be known as the Gaines File copies, and are highly sought after by collectors, in no small part because they often represent the best-known copies of each individual issue. But Vault of Horror #12 is legendary among Gaines File collectors, as only one single copy -- the one offered here -- was filed away for posterity. Not only is this a beautiful copy of an important book, it is unique. In order to ever acquire a complete set of Gaines File copies, this book is a must. It is the lynchpin in completing one of the most daunting -- but rewarding --
Auction 802 | Lot: 6220 | Mar 17, 2002

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Carl Barks - Color Lithographs (Another Rainbow, 1990). This set of Carl Barks prints represents one of the few complete same-number sets in existence. All 26 of the large size prints and all 17 of the small size prints are designated #92. This set consists of the desirable "regular" issue prints. In the spring of 2000, Another Rainbow valued this complete set at $60,760 (large at $49,650 and small at $11,110). "Sailing the Spanish Main" was priced at $11,000! All the lithographs are signed by the now deceased Carl Barks, the beloved artist who wrote and drew Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge comic book stories from the 1940s through the 1960s. All are accompanied by their original certificates of authenticity and any special edition comic books that were released in conjunction with the lithographs.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6602 | Mar 17, 2002

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Hal Foster - Original Art for Tarzan Sunday dated 4-2-33 (United Feature Syndicate, 1933). In this page, Tarzan swings through the trees to rescue the Princess as Ptok hurls her to the ground. There are no better examples of Hal Foster's work on Tarzan than these two consecutive pages! Framed and matted, the overall size is 36.25" x 29", with an image area of approximately 27" x 20".Title logos are stats, all else is original. Offered in excellent condition. From the collection of Russ Cochran.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6546 | Mar 17, 2002

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Wally Wood - Original Cover Art for Weird Science-Fantasy #23 (EC, 1954). One of Wally Wood's most intriguing concepts -- a spaceship crashes underwater -- also proves to be one of his most evocative covers for EC. From the dramatic posing of the dying astronauts to the shadowy city in the background, all rendered with Wood's legendary brushwork, this is one eerily beautiful cover. Wood's EC science fiction covers have been off the market for years (and most are still in the hands of private collectors), making this a rare treat which we are proud to offer. As is common for many EC covers, there are production notes in the margins, and some aspects of the cover have been inked in red to aid the engravers. Some light stains in the margins, but very little tanning. A truly stunning piece from the great Wally Wood. 15" x 22".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6628 | Mar 17, 2002

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The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963). A true milestone in the Silver Age, and the book that really established Marvel as a worthy contender to take on DC's long-standing dominance of the superhero market. In a typically cunning move, Stan Lee brought in the already-established Fantastic Four to guest-star in the Web-Slinger's premiere issue, and their appearance on the brilliantly-designed cover (a rare Kirby/Ditko team-up) is a perfect contrast with the more free-wheeling attitude of Spider-Man. In addition to the FF appearance, this issue also features a brief re-telling of Spidey's origin, and the debuts of J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon. This is a very attractive copy of this landmark issue, with a very small crease in the lower right corner, and very light edge wear being the only elements keeping this from a higher grade; there is no "Marvel chipping" to be found. The cover has lush colors, and is one of the brighter ASM #1 covers we've seen. A truly beautiful copy, this would be a fine addition to any high-grade Spider-Man collection. CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $25000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6715 | Mar 17, 2002

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Frank Frazetta - Original Illustration Tarzan of the Apes (1991). Here's the story on this magnificent piece, straight from Russ Cochran: "I was visiting Frank's home many years ago while he was working on his "Kubla Khan" portfolio which was published by Middle Earth in 1977. When I looked closely at his finished pencils for these drawings, I was amazed at the textures and chiaroscuro effects he managed to capture with his pencils. The drawings were stunning! Several months later, visiting again, I looked at these same drawings after he had inked them. They were still great, not in the same category as the Canaverals, but certainly far better than anyone else was doing, and I remarked to Frank that I liked them better as pencils. Frank wasn't sure how to take that: was I praising his talent with the pencil, or was I knocking his inking ability? Finally, he laughed and agreed with me, admitting that his pencil drawings captured a certain feeling that was often not present (to the same degree) in the finished inks. This gave me the idea of commissioning Frank to do a series of large finished pencil drawings for me to use in an illustrated edition of Tarzan of the Apes. Originally, I wanted Frank to do ten to twelve of these for me, for that book. As it turned out, he did only two. This is the second one, showing a giant ape carrying Jane away to his boudoir in the trees, and Tarzan coming to the rescue, complete with gnarly, mossy vegetation and a butterfly." The piece measures 20" x 14", with the image occupying nearly the entire page. From the collection of Russ Cochran.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6702 | Mar 17, 2002

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Detective Comics #58 (DC, 1941). This landmark issue of Detective features the debut of the #2 villain in the Dark Knight's Rogue's Gallery -- namely The Penguin. Highly prized by Batman collectors for this historic debut, this issue also features a stunning cover by Jerry Robinson (from Fred Ray layouts). This is an absolutely magnificent high-grade copy of this coveted issue, with a bright, crisp appearance and stunning colors. By far the highest graded copy certified as of this writing (the next closest copy is a 7.5), this is truly an investment grade book, and incredibly rare in this condition. CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001NM 9.4 value = $4,200.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6954 | Mar 17, 2002

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Police Comics #1 Windy City pedigree (Quality, 1941). Police Comics #1 is an important book for a number of reasons. It introduces two important characters - Plastic Man and Phantom Lady - and also contains the first appearances of several other characters who are mainstays in the Quality line up, including The Human Bomb and Firebrand. Inside this classic book one finds art by legends like Will Eisner, Jack Cole and Reed Crandall. This a beautiful pedigree copy, with only the most subtle indications of wear. This is the highest grade yet awarded by CGC for this issue by quite a wide margin. CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $8,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6429 | Mar 17, 2002

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The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel, 1962). Origin and first appearance of the Hulk. Jack Kirby is the artist on this issue and the Hulk is grey colored. This comic is in near perfect shape and only exhibits a few minor stress lines on spine, pristine color and razor-sharp corners. A very hard book to find in high grade, this book is one of the best in existence at this time according to the CGC census. A real winner for the lucky collector. CGC 9.0 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $15,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6766 | Mar 17, 2002

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Journey into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962). An outstanding high-grade copy of this Marvel key, featuring the origin and first appearance of The Mighty Thor, Thunder God extraordinaire, rendered in the inimitable Kirby style. Journey into Mystery #83 is nearly impossible to acquire in this grade, long considered a tough issue by veteran collectors. Fabulous color and a very clean appearance highlight the high-grade nature of this stunning book. A NM 9.4 copy recently achieved over $35,000 on eBay. CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $5,500.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6773 | Mar 17, 2002

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X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963). X-Men #1 is certainly one of the ten most important Silver Age comic books ever published. It introduces Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, Marvel Girl, Professor X and their nemesis, the malevolent Magneto. This particular copy is the "prettiest" we've ever seen. The cover is stark white, with no discernable tanning at all, and the color saturation could not be deeper; the logo area is deep blood red, the greens are intense, the blues are almost black in hue. Structurally, this book is tight and flat with sharp corners and exceptional eye-appeal. The comic is simply a knock out, a sure thing for any X-collector. CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001NM 9.4 value = $9,500.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6793 | Mar 17, 2002

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Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939). A true "super-key" issue if ever there was one, this was the springboard for one of the most successful comic book companies in history: Timely Comics, which later re-named itself after this seminal first issue, and became Marvel Comics. Published in 1939, it featured the origin and first appearance of the Human Torch (who is featured on the spectacular cover), created by Carl Burgos. Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner (created and drawn by the legendary Bill Everett) makes his first newsstand appearance. It also featured Ka-Zar the Great (the first appearance of this first-known Tarzan clone), the first and only appearance of the Jungle Terror, and the first appearance of The Angel by Paul Gustavson. Cover art is by science fiction legend Frank R. Paul. Marvel Comics #1 introduces two of the three superstars of the fledgling company, and, even more importantly, is the first Marvel comic book, the most widely collected and arguably most important publisher in comic book history. CGC GD 2.0 Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 GD 2.0 value = $14,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6019 | Mar 17, 2002

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All-Flash #1 Recil Macon pedigree (DC, 1941). The Fastest Man Alive gets his own title in this Golden Age gem. Sporting a classic cover by E. E. Hibbard, this copy is bright and beautiful. The name "Recil Macon" is written across the Flash's chest in pen, and CGC notes," Name written on 1st page in pen." This is, of course, indicative of the pedigree. The book presents wonderfully, with only a slight dust shadow along the right edge and some very minor chipping to keep it from an even higher grade. Excellent eye-appeal on this killer book. CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 VF 8.0 value = $8,320; NM 9.4 value = $16,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6882 | Mar 17, 2002

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Wonder Woman Ashcan #1 (DC, 1942). Ever since their discovery several years ago, the DC ashcans have caused a sensation in the collecting world. Late last year, a Superman #1 ashcan brought over $36,000 at auction. The Wonder Woman ashcan offered here is one of the few that were machine stitched and trimmed. In other words, it's not hand-stapled and trimmed like the Superman ashcan was. It looks like a regular Golden Age comic book with a black and white cover. Adding to its desirability is the fact that it is truly unique, whereas at least two copies of the Superman ashcan are known to exist. The cover, dated Jan. 1942 and numbered # 1, features cover art by H. G. Peter, that would eventually be used for Sensation # 1. The most noticeable difference is the logo that has been changed to "Wonder Woman". The interior presents the Wonder Woman story from Sensation Comics # 2. Since Sensation Comics # 1 is cover dated January, 1942, it's clear that M.C. Gaines and his business partners at DC produced this ashcan immediately upon their realization that Wonder Woman was going to be a huge hit. They rushed this ashcan into production to secure the trademark for what would become the world's most popular female superhero. The first issue of Wonder Woman, dated Summer 1942, quickly followed. In what appears to be a receipt of some kind, the words "Registered U.S.P.O. 1942" are written in pencil below the logo on the cover. U.S.P.O. in this context refers to the United States Patent Office, where copies of ashcans were sent to register trademarks. The copyright notice has a pencil mark through it that looks like someone either checked that it was properly there, or that "copyright 1941 by M.C. Gaines" was incorrect. In any case, it serves to solidify the historical importance of this unbelievably rare pop culture artifact. This is literally the first edition of Wonder Woman, a title that has run
Auction 802 | Lot: 7048 | Mar 17, 2002

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Fred Ray - Original Cover Art for Tomahawk #1 (DC, 1950). We are very pleased to offer this unique piece of comic book history. Original comic book cover art of this vintage is very rare, and key issue covers by important artists are, of course, even rarer. Our experts were hard-pressed to name another first issue, Golden Age cover extant in today's market. Several that are rumored to have survived were mentioned, but none that have actually been offered at public auction. Fred Ray, best remembered for his work on Superman, was one of the more prominent artists of his day. His Superman #14 cover is an enduring classic. Here, he successfully captures the climatic moment of this great scene, creating a memorable, and very dynamic, image. The art itself is in excellent condition. It is very clean, white and devoid of any distracting stats. Art and type in the logo area has been hand rendered, although that may be a later recreation. Rendered in pen and ink on paper and professionally matted and framed, the image area is approximately 13" x 19".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6661 | Mar 17, 2002

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Superman #1 (DC, 1939). The Man of Steel, a cultural icon, can spawn a multitude of discussions within or outside the comic book industry. Superman's worldwide fame makes him recognizable from Timbuktu to Paduka, Kentucky. He heralded the start of the superhero genre, and his own series was the first comic devoted to a single character. The cover alone is considered by many to be the single most recognized image in comic fandom. Superman #1 is one of the most sought-after books in our hobby, and it is extremely rare to own one in unrestored condition. Despite having a detached centerfold and cover, the book has rich colors and appears clean. The spine has a chip out at both staple areas and color flaking, but does not affect the overall appearance of the book. Considering that Superman #1 is listed as the third most valuable comic by Overstreet, this copy is relatively affordable in it's present condition. CGC label notes, "Cover and centerfold detached". CGC GD 2.0 Tan to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 GD 2.0 value = $14,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 7030 | Mar 17, 2002

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Captain America Comics #1 (Timely, 1941). Timely's most popular key issue, Captain America #1 has a lot going for it: the introduction of comicdom's favorite patriotic hero by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the first appearance of Cap's ultimate arch-nemesis the Red Skull, and an ultra-classic cover featuring Cap socking Hitler in the jaw. This series would last the duration of the 1940s, with a small revival in the '50s, before Cap became a mainstay of the comic community during the Marvel Age, enjoying vast popularity to the present day. This copy is beautiful, almost a VF, that has a small amount of professional color touch and a minor bump to the upper spine area. The colors are deep, something to be appreciated since most copies exhibit faded covers. Cap #1 has shown incredible growth over the last decade, ascending to the seventh position of Overstreet's top ten, and setting records along the way. No doubt the owner of this book will be envied by many. CGC Apparent VF- 7.5 Slight (P) Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $17,100; VF 8.0 value = $39,900.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6009 | Mar 17, 2002

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Al Feldstein - Original Cover Art for Weird Fantasy #7 (EC, 1951). This piece incorporates all of the elements that a collector looks for in a science fiction cover. It has spacemen, rocket ships in outer space, and a voluptuous space girl striking a pose for all her admiring fans. This piece certainly qualifies as a headlights cover, and is arguably the best example of that genre that Feldstein ever produced. EC art has been very undervalued and this is a great opportunity to put a classic cover in your collection without breaking the bank. The art is in exceptional condition with no visible wear and measures 13.5" x 19.5".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6625 | Mar 17, 2002

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Adventure Comics #40 (DC, 1939). Featuring the first conceived story of Sandman, and a truly classic cover showing us what he does best. Sandman first appeared in New York World's Fair 1939, but that story is believed to have been created after the one that appears in this issue. One of the rarest DC key issues, Adventure #40 has proven elusive to many collectors, rarely surfacing in any grade, and always commanding a premium. To prove this point, CGC has listed it's highest graded copy as FN/VF, while most of the other key issues have had copies graded VF or better. This book has a single defect keeping it from the Fine range, a small amount of paper is missing on the right side of the logo. Considering the true scarcity of Adventure #40 in unrestored condition, it's clear that this a rare investment opportunity. CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $11,500.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6873 | Mar 17, 2002

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Hal Foster - Original Tarzan Sunday dated 3-26-33 (United Features Syndicate, 1933). Harold R. (Hal) Foster took over the job of drawing the Tarzan Sunday page from artist Rex Maxon in September, 1931. Edgar Rice Burroughs himself was not happy with Maxon's work on the Sundays, although Maxon continued to draw the daily strips for many years. When Hal Foster got this job, it was during the depths of the great Depression, and work was hard to get. He was working in Chicago at an advertising agency and things were so bad that Foster allowed four other starving artists to help him with the earliest pages, and the $75 per page which Foster was paid was divided equally, $15 per man per week. Even though the job was Foster's and only his name appeared on the Sunday page, he took only an equal share. In his words, these five families "ate ape" during those difficult years. Sometime in 1932, with fan mail coming in, Foster was inspired to put more work into his pages, and gradually took over the pages completely with no assistants. The earliest Foster page known to exist is dated July 10, 1932, and during this period Foster is starting to experiment with panel layout. These early pages are filled with action, and rarely will you see an action figure duplicated, as was common with other artists. Foster could draw Tarzan in any position, in any action, and it looked real. Most collectors agree that he reached his peak on Tarzan in what has become known as the "Egyptian sequence", where the story line took Tarzan to a lost Egyptian civilization that bordered the jungle. That way, he could fill his pages with the pomp and pageantry of the Egyptian kings and princesses, and then cut to nearby action with apes in the jungle. It was the best of both worlds. The Sunday pages offered here are two of the best from this memorable period, dated 3/26/33 and 4/2/33. The first page contains the Egyptian princess with her entourage and her barge, and then the action segues to th
Auction 802 | Lot: 6545 | Mar 17, 2002

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Fantastic Comics #3 (Fox, 1940). This issue spotlights a truly classic cover by Lou Fine, considered by many comics connoisseurs to be one of the finest artists ever to touch pen to paper. An exceedingly rare book, this is the highest graded, unrestored copy yet submitted to CGC, and is a very attractive copy with no major defects and only light to moderate general wear. A finer copy may not exist. CGC FN- 5.5 Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet FN 6.0 value = $3,045.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6360 | Mar 17, 2002

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Jack Davis - Original Art for Tales from the Crypt #33 "Lower Berth" - Complete 8-Page Story (EC, 1953). The legendary "Origin of the Crypt Keeper" story, "Lower Berth" is a truly twisted tale wherein two side-show freaks (an ancient mummy and a two-headed ogre) decide to marry and procreate, and the end result is ... yuck! This yarn features some of Jack Davis' finest EC work, with his trademark contrasting of heavy blacks with fine feathering. Oddly enough, the "reveal" of baby Crypt-Keeper has a pasted-up head, which seems to have been done to make the child look less "baby-like", and to more closely resemble the adult CK. Pages are in excellent condition, with virtually no tanning, and the usual blue-line notations. The "Crypt of Terror" stat on page one is somewhat loose on the right side, but still firmly attached. A truly important and memorable EC story. Eight pages, 15" x 22".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6629 | Mar 17, 2002

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More Fun Comics #54 (DC, 1940). DC's very first title (starting as New Fun) has always been a fan favorite for its rarity and diversity, running almost twelve years and introducing a number of important characters to the DC universe. More Fun made the superhero switch when the Spectre was introduced in #52, continuing the tradition until #107 when the series returned to more light-hearted fare. Considered by many to be the best Spectre cover of the run, #54 has been sought-after for years, always commanding a premium regardless of grade. Unrestored high grade copies are impossible to find, usually selling privately when they turn up. This particular copy is a sight to behold, with white pages and a very well-preserved cover. Defects keeping it out of the NM range are minimal, including a small color chip off the top spine, light foxing on the back cover and the slightest amount of discoloration around the staples. A truly powerful copy of a classic cover--it may be a long time before a comparable #54 appears on the market. CGC VF 8.0 White pages. Overstreet 2001 VF 8.0 value = $5,980.
Auction 802 | Lot: 7001 | Mar 17, 2002

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Superman #2 (DC, 1939). After a phenomenally successful debut in Action Comics, the powers-that-be at DC quickly afforded the Man of Steel his own title, and sales went up, up, and away. Offered here is the spectacular second issue of Superman, featuring a striking Joe Shuster cover (with a pose similar to Superman #1, but facing in the other direction). As is often the case, this issue is even tougher to find than Superman #1, and is a very difficult book to find in high-grade, especially unrestored. This is, in fact, the highest-graded unrestored copy of this book that CGC has certified as of this writing, making it the best Superman #2 on the open market. CGC VF 8.0 Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $3,060; NM 9.4 value = $12,750.
Auction 802 | Lot: 7032 | Mar 17, 2002

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George Herriman - Original Art for Krazy Kat Sunday dated 5-5-18 (King Features, 1918). Running from 1913 until the mid-1940s, Krazy Kat has been hailed as one of the most original, most innovative, and most avante garde comic strips the medium has ever seen. Created by artist George Herriman, this is the story of Krazy Kat, in love with the brick-tossing felon, Ignatz Mouse. Wonderfully bizarre and surreal, the strip was a masterpiece of imagination, utilizing a unique dialect that could have been the inspiration for Walt Kelly's fractured prose years later in Pogo. Offered here is a beautifully composed page, rendered with Herriman's seemingly innate sense of design, in constant motion until the very end of the last panel. Not an inch of space is wasted or ignored; Herriman's storytelling chops are first rate. This page has an overall size of 22" x 18.5", with an image area of approximately 20" x 17", and is in superb condition. From the collection of Russ Cochran.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6533 | Mar 17, 2002

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Al Feldstein - Original Cover Art for Weird Science #8 (EC, 1951). A stunning image from EC mainstay Al Feldstein, this is the classic cover depicting astronauts being attacked by some of the most imaginative BEMs ever to grace an EC comic. Moderate glue stains and light tanning do not detract from the power of this well-known image. 15" x 22".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6626 | Mar 17, 2002

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George Herriman - Original Art for Krazy Kat Specialty Piece (No Publisher, undated). Krazy Kat, Ignatz Mouse and Offisa Pup graced America's comic pages from 1913 through the mid-1940s. Herriman's use of language, a kind of "word jazz", is at once both bizarre and poetic, making him a unique voice in the realm of American art. Hailed by many as a true artist, Herriman's work has been the subject of critical essays and unabashed appreciations by literary lights throughout the years, including e.e.cummings, Umberto Eco, Charles Schulz, and Jack Kerouac. Offered here is a specialty piece Herriman did for a friend. It is inscribed, "To lil ole 'Arthur Escallier', the prince imperial of 'Temecula' - in memory of one grand day on the San Luis Rey - from George Herriman." The scene, rendered in subtle watercolors, depicts the three main characters hunting a quail. In a beautiful gilt frame, the piece measures 31.5" x 21.5" overall, with an image area of approximately 21" x 11", and is in like-new condition. From the collection of Russ Cochran.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6534 | Mar 17, 2002

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Batman #1 (DC, 1940). One of the most desirable comics printed during the Golden Age, Batman #1 has had so much exposure in fandom that a certain mystique has come to surround it. It's a book that all serious collectors strive to own, and always causes a sensation when displayed. There is a strong argument that Batman is the preeminent superhero of today, surpassing even Superman in popularity. This point was proven when Detective #27 passed Action #1 as the most valuable comic in the world during the early 1990s. The book itself is chock-full of extras, including the first appearance of comicdom's quintessential villain, the Joker, as well as the Catwoman, the first villainess in comics. Even included is a non-Robin story intended for use in Detective #38, Robin's first appearance. Ranked as the sixth most valuable comic by Overstreet, this book is truly what Golden Age is all about. Susan Cicconi's restoration on this particular copy is moderate, and relegated to the spine area, used to attach a married back cover. The back cover, an original found from another copy, is perfectly matched to the front, and looks seamless. The front cover has a small spot of yellow color touch near the upper spine, but is otherwise untouched. The interior is sharp and white, appearing as fresh as the day it was printed. There are few restored Batman #1's that resemble the quality of this copy, both from a freshness standpoint, and the level of professional work involved. Once you thumb through this one, you won't want to put it down. Apparent VF/NM 9.0 White pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $18,200; VF 8.0 value = $42,500.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6905 | Mar 17, 2002

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Flash Comics #1 (DC, 1940). One of the classic DC keys, this introductory issue features the first appearance of Hawkman, Hawkgirl (as Shiera Sanders), and the legendary Flash. The series would run 104 issues, enjoying success throughout the '40s and proving itself as one of DC's mainstays. Shelly Moldoff, Hawkman's preeminent artist, was assigned the cover, creating a classic image that has only grown in fandom's conscience. Overstreet ranks this issue as the eighth most valuable Golden Age comic, a position that has been earned through years of meteoric jumps in price and demand. This copy is unrestored with very nice pages and most of its wear limited to the spine area. There is a 2 1/4" tear on the right side of the front cover, but because of minimal color loss, does not mar the appearance of the book. No doubt this book would have graded much higher if not for the tear. Thirty interior pages and the inside back cover have a date stamp on them. A truly magnificent book, Flash #1 is capable of turning the heads of even the most jaded collectors. CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages. Overstreet 2001 GD 2.0 value = $6,000; FN 6.0 value = $18,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6963 | Mar 17, 2002

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Wally Wood - Original Art for Mad #2 "Gookum!" - Complete 6-Page Story (EC, 1952). Humor in a jugular vein from one of the earliest issues of the longest-running laugh-mag in the business. The immortal Wally Wood weighs in with a hilarious tale of a goofy Martian and the gelatinous creature he's pursuing. More freewheeling and wild than his SF or horror work, this nevertheless boasts Woody's trademark meticulous linework and mastery of the sight gag. This is "Melvin Wood" at his finest! Reasonably clean boards have multiple blue-line markings and corrections, and there is light tanning, especially on page one, but these hardly detract from the outstanding artwork. Complete stories from this early in Mad are exceptionally scarce, so don't miss this rare opportunity. Six pages, measuring approximately 15" x 22" each.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6632 | Mar 17, 2002

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Wally Wood - Original Art for Weird Science-Fantasy #27 "Adaptability" - Complete 7-Page Story (EC, 1955). Survival on a raw alien planet is the theme of this typical but fast-moving sci-fi tale from EC's heyday. What makes this story particularly exciting for the Wally Wood fan is that it features page after page of those round-portalled spaceship interiors that Woody is so famous for, making this a prime story for the Wood collector. Please note that on every page of this story, at least one panel has been cut-and-pasted into the larger board; this is because these individual panels were rendered on Craftint Duotone board (to lend variety to the artwork); while most are still tightly affixed (with glue and tape), the panels on the last two pages are slightly loose. Pages show light-to-moderate tanning, and all have the usual blue-line notations and corrections. An outstanding story overall. Seven pages, measuring approximately 15" x 22".
Auction 802 | Lot: 6635 | Mar 17, 2002

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Green Lantern #4 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1942). Green Lantern joins the Army! This issue features a patriotic cover, showing GL and his partner Doiby Dickles marching off to win the war. This copy originated from the San Francisco collection, considered by many to be second only to the Mile Highs in quality. A very pretty book that has only slight edge wear and white pages, a well-known trait of the Frisco books. To date, this breathtaking Green Lantern #4 is the highest-graded CGC copy and it is certainly one of the best, if not the best copies in existence! CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $4,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6987 | Mar 17, 2002

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Detective Comics #38 (DC, 1940). The sensational debut of Robin, the Boy Wonder, is the centerpiece of this legendary key issue, certainly one of the three most important Batman comics ever published. The memorable cover by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (taken from the story's splash page) beautifully showcases Batman's new sidekick, and even gets the color of his cape right (as opposed to Batman #1, where the Boy Wonder's cape was mysteriously green). This is a very nice mid-grade copy of this important book; moderate dust shadowing and one minor spine split are what keep it from a higher grade. The book presents beautifully for this range, with sharp corners and virtually no cover wear; colors are bright and vibrant. Unrestored mid-grade copies of this classic book are very rare; as of this writing, this is the second-highest unrestored grade that has been certified for this issue. Label notes "heavy tanning interior front and back cover." CGC VG/FN 5.0 Light tan pages. Overstreet 2001 GD 2.0 value = $3,040; FN 6.0 value = $9,120.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6951 | Mar 17, 2002

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Fantastic Four #1 Northland pedigree (Marvel, 1961). A truly historic book, Fantastic Four #1 ushered in the Marvel Age of Comics, and in the process, redefined what comic books were all about. Stan Lee's decision to give his characters real problems allowed readers to empathize with them, putting comics on a whole new emotional level with their fans. And to think...it might never have happened! After nearly 20 years in the business, Stan was considering hanging it all up when Martin Goodman, then publisher of Marvel, had a golf game with DC's editor, Jack Liebowitz. Liebowitz revealed to him that their new creation, the Justice League of America, was doing very well. Always the entrepreneur, Goodman convinced Stan to give superheroes one more shot. After brainstorming with Jack Kirby, the two decided to create a team of superheroes similar to the Challengers of the Unknown -- but with a twist. From that fateful golf game, Marvel would eventually rise up to become the industry leader, pointing the way for others to follow. This copy hails from the Northland collection, considered by many to be the pre-eminent Silver Age pedigree find of the 1990s. A beautiful book that is elusive in the higher grades. CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 VF 8.0 value = $8,800.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6757 | Mar 17, 2002

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J. Allen St. John - Original Interior Art for Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (A.C. McClurg & Co, 1928). Born in 1872, St. John is considered by many to be the finest Tarzan artist ever to set pencil to paper. One of the first artists to render the Lord of the Jungle, St. John was master of the evocative, always imbuing his figures with motion and fluidity. Unfortunately for today's collector, many St. John originals are controlled by ERB, Inc., and are not available at any price. This rare example, an interior plate from the 1928 edition of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, is a sterling example of a master craftsman at the top of his game. The power and the majesty in this piece is undeniable; the piece seethes with raw power. It is impossible for mere photographic reproduction to capture the subtle graphite shadings that St. John utilizes here; truly, the piece must be seen to be believed. Tastefully framed, the piece measures approximately 22.25" x 31.25" overall, with an image area of approximately 15" x 24". A true treasure in every sense of the word, this is a piece not to be missed. From the collection of Russ Cochran.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6698 | Mar 17, 2002

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Tomahawk #1 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1950). This issue presents a rare opportunity. Key issues from the Mile High collection are difficult to acquire in general, with first issues of long running DC titles being even harder to acquire. This is an absolutely stunning copy, with a great Fred Ray cover (see the Original Art section for the original of this stunning piece) and stellar page quality. CGC notes, "Manufactured with large piece out margin of 2nd page, slightly affects story". CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $1,500.
Auction 802 | Lot: 7045 | Mar 17, 2002

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Air Fighters Comics #2 Mile High pedigree (Hillman Fall, 1942). Finding the opportunity to purchase the Mile High copy of any significant key issue is rare, because their appeal is two-fold. What makes this particular copy especially attractive is its relative affordability in relation to other key issues, and its grade. Because of a very light water stain on the back cover, CGC downgraded this first Airboy appearance to VF 8.0, yet the book appears NM--a truly stunning example from the most famous pedigree collection in comicdom. CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $943; NM 9.4 value = $3,300.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6301 | Mar 17, 2002

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Jack Kirby - Original Cover Art for Thor #149 (Marvel, 1968). "Twice-up" Marvel art has become very difficult to obtain over the last few years. A large Kirby, super-hero cover is next to impossible. The art is in very nice shape. Stats in logo area are not original. The small middle panel is a paste-in, but is all art. Thor's arm on the large bottom panel has been pasted in, but again, it is all art. The bottom right corner is partially missing, no art affected. A nice action cover, measuring approximately 17" x 22", inked by Vince Colletta and signed by Jack Kirby at the bottom.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6589 | Mar 17, 2002

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Showcase #19 Big Apple pedigree (DC, 1959). Adam Strange makes his third and final Showcase appearance here before moving over to Mystery in Space. Showcase is one of the most significant runs of the Silver Age, spawning most of the new characters DC introduced during that time, with many early issues proving elusive in high grade. This particular copy is a true gem in every sense of the word, grading out at a whopping 9.6 -- with a double cover to boot! Most certainly the best copy CGC has seen so far, this one is a must-have. If you want the best, look no further. CGC NM+ 9.6 (interior cover NM 9.4) Cream to off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $1,450.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6851 | Mar 17, 2002

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Zip Comics #5 Mile High pedigree (MLJ, 1940). Steel Sterling smashes the enemy in a thrilling Charles Biro cover, highlighting this exceptional comic. From the legendary Mile high collection, this book is not only a high-grade gem, it also possesses an exceptional page quality. They don't come much nicer than this. CGC NM 9.4 White pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $1,200.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6527 | Mar 17, 2002

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X-Men #3 (Marvel, 1964). The X-men face off against the Blob in this issue, a truly frightening prospect for our Merry Mutants! This copy is gorgeous, with razor-sharp edges and a near perfect spine. A true investment piece for any Silver Age collector, especially considering the X-men's continued popularity with readers. CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $775.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6798 | Mar 17, 2002

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Superboy #1 (DC, 1949). A beautiful copy of a key DC issue. During the post World War II period, the popularity of super hero comics were at a low ebb. Many long running characters and titles disappeared or were cancelled. Superboy #1 bucked that trend, and started a new title that ran for 31 years. This copy is superb, with a very fresh look, truly intense color, and minimal wear. As an added bonus, Superman is featured on the cover. An investment-quality copy, at the time of this writing it is the second highest graded copy, according to CGC's census report. CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 FN 6.0 value = $2,090; NM 9.4 value = $8,000.
Auction 802 | Lot: 7028 | Mar 17, 2002

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Wings Comics #1 Allentown pedigree (Fiction House, 1940). One of the most popular Fiction House titles, Wings are chock-full of great WWII stories of dogfighting, suicide missions, and basically anything you can imagine involving fighter planes. A great series for any WWII aficionado. This copy hails from the Allentown collection, a small group of books found in 1987 that contained the nicest existing copies of Detective #27 and Captain America #1. With the exception of a light dust shadow on the cover, there are no defects to speak of -- a truly exceptional book to behold. CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Overstreet 2001 NM 9.4 value = $2,200.
Auction 802 | Lot: 6513 | Mar 17, 2002

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